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Directions to Whistler, BC
From Vancouver Airport and downtown Vancouver
The fastest driving route to Whistler
This page gives you the fastest route to Whistler, BC from Vancouver International Airport. You’ll receive clear and easy-to-follow driving directions to the Whistler ski area.
Leaving the airport
From the Vancouver Airport rental car terminal, follow the signs toward Vancouver and Highway 99 North—NOT toward Richmond and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Because you are on Canadian government property, these signs are in both English and French.
As you exit the airport, you’ll cross over the north arm of the Fraser River and enter Vancouver.
As you exit the bridge, follow the signs toward Granville Street.
You are now northbound on Granville Street in Vancouver, which is also Highway 99 North. Vancouverites have never allowed freeways to bisect their city, so you’ll face some stop and go driving.
Continue northbound on Granville toward the city center.
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Avoiding the Vancouver city center
As you near downtown, you’ll cross over the Granville Bridge, which spans False Creek, an arm of English Bay.
While on this bridge, stay as far to the RIGHT as possible, as you’ll be taking the first exit to the right.
At the end of the bridge, veer right onto Seymour Street.
Take the first right turn onto Drake Street.
Take the next right turn onto Richards Street.
Take the next right turn onto Pacific Street.
(No, we're not trying to make you dizzy. All this is helping to avoid the worst of downtown traffic, which you would encounter if you stayed on Highway 99.)
English Bay
Continue westbound on Pacific Street.
Soon, you’ll have really nice views of English Bay on your left.
Pacific Street runs into Beach Avenue, and then starts veering toward the right.
At the first major intersection—still adjacent to English Bay—veer with most traffic even more to the right onto Denman Street. Do not continue along the bay.
The first several blocks of Denman are a good place to grab a snack, if you are hungry.
Continue northbound on Denman until you come to Georgia Street, a major intersection. At Georgia, most traffic turns either right or left.
Turn LEFT onto Georgia. You are back on Highway 99 North.
Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge
You’ll now enter Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park. Georgia Street becomes Lions Gate Bridge Road.
(If you wish to explore the park, check out our “Scenic drive to Whistler – alternative I.” In any case, be sure to read “Timing your drive to Whistler,” as the road through the park and over the Lions Gate Bridge can be a major bottleneck. There are no acceptable alternative routes, in order to get to Whistler more quickly.)
As you exit the park, you are traveling over the Lions Gate Bridge. The driver won’t see much, but her passengers may glimpse fantastic views of Vancouver Harbor on the right.
At the end of the bridge, follow the signs for Highway 99 North and Marine Drive West, which use the same exit toward West Vancouver.
At the first major intersection, turn right off of Marine Drive onto Taylor Way, which is also Highway 99 North.
You are now headed northbound on Taylor Way—Highway 99 North.
Trans-Canada Highway 1
Taylor Way crosses under the Upper Level Highway, Stay toward the left.
After crossing under an overpass, immediately turn left onto the entrance to the Upper Level Highway. Just follow the signs for Highway 99 North and Highway 1 West.
You are now westbound on the Upper Level Highway, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway system. You are following Highway 1 West and Highway 99 North.
Soon after this freeway turns toward the north, most traffic takes the exit marked Horseshoe Bay and Highway 1. DON’T.
Highway 99 North
INSTEAD, continue on Highway 99 North toward Whistler.
This exhilarating highway follows scenic Howe Sound before gradually ascending to the Whistler ski area. As you follow the sound, you may feel as if you are in Norway.
Stay on Highway 99 North all the way to Whistler. You’ll arrive in the Whistler Village area.
Have a great time in Whistler!
Go to:
- Timing your trip to Whistler, in order to avoid traffic jams.
- Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I
- If you’re flying back into the U.S. from Vancouver, be sure to read What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.
- Directions to Whistler - introduction
- The fastest driving directions to Whistler from Vancouver International Airport.
- Timing your trip to Whistler, in order to avoid traffic jams.
- Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I.
- Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative II. (under construction)
- Transportation to Whistler from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport.
- What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.
